From Austria to Russia... how to stage your very own Winter Olympics

At long last Russia can be included in a round-up of Europe’s most exciting ski destinations for the coming winter season.

With Sochi on the Black Sea hosting the 2014 Winter Olympics, numerous resorts have been built from scratch in the surrounding mountains.

And, despite the arduous journey via Istanbul, due to a lack of direct flights from the UK to Sochi, a visit to the host resorts is well worth it. I joined a party of skiing ‘guinea pigs’ late last season to test the progress of the resorts in the Western Caucasus.

Skiers paradise: The snow-sure resort of Val Thorens, in France, was created four decades ago

They are 30 miles inland from Sochi, which sprawls for an incredible 80 miles along the coast of south-west Russia north of the self-proclaimed country of Abkhazia.

We were all pleasantly surprised, but any visit to the principal resorts of Rosa Khutor (host to most of the Olympic alpine ski events including the downhills), Mountain Carousel (with its stunning mountain top restaurant, a favourite of President Vladimir Putin) or Gazprom (gentle groomed runs, perfect for beginners and intermediates), must take into consideration the ongoing building work.

That said, plenty of the infrastructure is in place to enjoy the resorts and revel on the very same slopes that will be testing the world’s best skiers in less than 18 months’ time.

Market leader, Crystal (www.crystalski.co.uk, 0871 231 2256), offers seven nights B&B at Rosa Khutor staying at the four-star Radisson Hotel Park Inn from £1,099pp based on two sharing. Or seven nights half board in the five-star Grand Hotel Polyana at Gazprom, based on four sharing, from £929pp. Both prices include flights and transfers.

Winning wonderland: Gazprom's gentle runs are perfect for beginners

Back in mainstream alpine Europe, Erna Low (www.ernalow.co.uk; 0844 879 2916) is celebrating 80 years in the ski holiday business and new to its programme of self-drive ski holidays for this winter is an upscale apartment complex in the high, snow-sure resort of Val Thorens in France.

A safe choice for early-season skiing and for being able to step out straight on to the ski slopes, the Hameau du Kashmir apartments, with swimming pool, suite of saunas, two restaurants and underground parking, offer great value and comfort.

A three double-bedroomed apartment with separate kitchen and lounge with flat-screen TV and complimentary wi-fi, can be rented from December 15 for seven nights from £1,836.

That is just £306pp based on six sharing, and the price includes one Flexiplus return ticket for car and passengers on Eurotunnel Le Shuttle.

New horizons: The dramatic surrounding mountains of Sochi, in Russia, will play host to competitors at the 2014 Winter Olympics

Another good bet for early season snow is Austria’s St Anton in the Arlberg. New for this year is the refurbished four-star Hotel Montjola.

VIP (www.vip-chalets.com, 0844 557 3119) took over this iconic property, built in 1932, and spent all summer giving it the loving upgrade that it has long cried out for.

It is just over 300 yards from the centre of resort and 500 yards from the ski lifts, but VIP runs a complimentary chauffeur service from 8am until 8pm from the hotel to and from the resort centre and ski lifts.

Seven nights departing December 16, based on two sharing, costs £949pp including return flights, transfers, daily cooked breakfast, afternoon tea and three-course dinner with house wine.

Tucked away: Arosa officially opens on December 1 but keen skiers can enjoy a sneak preview

And did I mention complimentary daily newspapers and ski host to help you navigate St Anton’s varied and excellent mountainous terrain?

My special selection from Switzerland for early-season skiing is the opportunity to have the entire resort of Arosa, popular with British skiers and mountain walkers since the Second World War, to yourself...well, and other guests of the five-star Tschuggen Grand Hotel and Spa (en.tschuggen.ch).

RELATED ARTICLES

Share this article

Share

Arosa officially opens its ski lifts and slopes on December 1 but courtesy of the Tschuggen Express – the hotel’s new, private mountain railway – guests and private ski hosts can access and ski the resort’s slopes for a three-night long ski season preview from November 29 to December 2.

The offer price, based on two sharing, is £575pp for three nights B&B including Friday night dinner in the hotel’s Grand restaurant, Saturday dinner in your choice of the hotel’s four restaurants, a jazz brunch on Sunday and unlimited access to the Tschuggen Bergoase, the hotel’s award-winning spa.

Oh, and entry to the hotel’s private Giant Slalom ski race if desired. The price does not include travel. The best route is flying to Zurich and getting the train to Arosa from the airport train station.